VUJIĆ: SERBIA PUSHES FOR MEDICAL TRANSFER, MLADIĆ'S CONDITION SERIOUS

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 23 /SRNA/ – Serbia's Justice Minister Nenad Vujić told SRNA that Serbia is ready to provide additional guarantees to the Hague-based Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in order to approve treatment for General Ratko Mladić in Serbia, as his life is at stake.

Vujić said that General Mladić's health condition remains severe and that Serbian institutions insist the Mechanism allow him to receive treatment in Serbia. "Unfortunately, Mladić did not receive adequate treatment in The Hague, which has led to the current difficult situation," Vujić stated. He noted that Serbia has already provided guarantees to the Mechanism for Mladić's transfer for treatment in Serbia. "We are ready, if the Mechanism has new requirements, to fulfill them, because a life is at stake," Vujić stressed. He added that some progress has been made, as the family has been allowed to visit the seriously ill General Mladić. Serbian doctors examined General Mladić yesterday, and their report is expected to be submitted today to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague, along with a request for his transfer to Serbia for treatment. General Mladić suffered a stroke on April 10. He had previously suffered multiple strokes and has serious cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure, neurological damage, and kidney problems, for which he has been repeatedly hospitalized and undergone various medical procedures, including heart and leg surgeries. Darko Mladić said two days ago that General Mladić is in critical condition in the detention hospital following the latest stroke. General Mladić has been in the detention hospital in The Hague, bedridden, for the past two years.